Kyrgyz Chak-Chak fried honey cakes - stock photo

Chak-chak (Чак-чак) fried honey noodle cakes on display for sale at Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Chak-Chak is a dessert made from deep-fried dough drenched in hot honey syrup, typically shaped into a mound or pyramid. When the dough is fried as noodles like in this image, chak-chak is called boxara käläwäse. Popular across the former Soviet Union, it is especially associated with the Tatar and Bashkortostan republics in Russia, as well as Central Asian nationalities like Uzbeks, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz. The dish may have origins in China. While the basic recipe is similar, preparation methods vary by region. Chak-chak symbolises celebration and hospitality, often served at special occasions and festive events.